THE NEW MAN NEEDS TO TOUGHEN UP AND THE NEIGHBOUR SHOULD OFFER TO PAY FOR DAMAGE, ADVISES NENE

Q I’ve been seeing a new man for a few months and we get on really well when it’s just the two of us, but he doesn’t seem to be interested in meeting my friends. I keep suggesting a casual group dinner in a pub, but he keeps avoiding it, saying that social situations make him anxious. My friends are very important to me and I’m dying to introduce him to them. I can’t think what to do – do you have any suggestions? BELLA, VIA EMAIL A Rather than a group dinner, could you have a few drinks with a couple of friends at a time. The new man needs to know how important your friends are and should toughen up and learn to socialise. Just introduce them gradually and in a low-key situation. I’m hoping you can help with an Q awkward situation I’ve found myself in. Every week I take my neighbour shopping as she doesn’t have a car. We usually make it a social outing and go out for coffee too. Last week when we got back to the car park she accidentally ran her trolley into my car and caused a dent. She was apologetic, but left it at that and didn’t offer to help me get it repaired. I’d like to get it fixed as it’s otherwise quite immaculate, but feel that my neighbour should pay for this. Even though she doesn’t have a car, she’s not short of money. How can I broach it with her that I’d like her to contribute? PIPPA, VIA EMAIL A Simple. Point out the dent and, as she caused it, say you would like her to pay for the repairs. You take your neighbour shopping ever week which is a kindness, the least she can do is accept responsibility for the damaged car. You save her money driving her to the supermarket and enjoy having coffee with her but she cannot ignore her responsibility. It may stretch the friendship but you want the dent fixed. Q I have been going to my local nail salon to get a regular pedicure for about five years, but recently when I removed my nail polish I discovered I had a fungal infection. My podiatrist thinks it most likely came from the nail salon. Now I can’t wear nail polish or go for a pedi until the infection goes, which I’m quite upset about as I like to have nice nails for summer. Do you think I should let the nail salon know what has happened? JENNY, VIA EMAIL. A I would mention It to the nail salon. It’s not good enough to be the cause of a fungal infection, and your podiatrist would know. Tell them you are upset that you cannot wear nail polish. They need to make sure that all their instruments are clean. Quite frankly, I would seriously consider going to a new nail salon when the fungus clears up.